Drought Tolerance in Mung Bean is Associated with the Genotypic Divergence,Regulation of Proline,Photosynthetic Pigment and Water Relation

Drought is one of the critical conditions for the growth and productivity of many crops including mung bean (Vigna radiata L. Wilczek). Screening of genotypes for variations is one of the suitable strategies for evaluating crop adaptability and global food security. In this context, the study investigated the physiological and biochemical responses of four drought tolerant (BARI Mung-8, BMX-08010-2, BMX-010015, BMX-08009-7), and four drought sensitive (BARI Mung-1, BARI Mung-3, BU Mung-4, BMX-05001) mung bean genotypes under wellwatered (WW) and water deficit (WD) conditions. The WW treatment maintained sufficient soil moisture (22% ± 0.5%, i.e., 30% deficit of available water) by regularly supplying water. Whereas, the WD treatment was maintained throughout the growing period, and water was applied when the wilting symptom appeared. The drought tolerant (DT) genotypes BARI Mung-8, BMX-08010-2, BMX-010015, BMX-08009-7 showed a high level of proline accumulation (2.52–5.99 mg g⁻¹ FW), photosynthetic pigment (total chlorophyll 2.96–3.27 mg g⁻¹ FW at flowering stage, and 1.62–2.38 mg g⁻¹ FW at pod developing stage), plant water relation attributes including relative water content (RWC) (82%–84%), water retention capacity (WRC) (12–14) as well as lower water saturation deficit (WSD) (19%–23%), and water uptake capacity (WUC) (2.58–2.89) under WD condition, which provided consequently higher relative seed yield. These indicate that the tolerant genotypes gained better physiobiochemical attributes and adaptability in response to drought conditions. Furthermore, the genotype BMX- 08010-2 showed superiority in terms of those physio-biochemical traits, susceptibility index (SSI) and stress tolerance index (STI) to other genotypes. Based on the physiological and biochemical responses, the BMX-08010-2 was found to be a suitable genotype for sustaining yield under drought stress, and subsequently, it could be recommended for crop improvement through hybridization programs. In addition, the identified traits can be used as markers to identify tolerant genotypes for drought-prone areas.     

干旱调控下小麦RIL群体灌浆期茎秆可溶性碳水化合物积累与转运的遗传分析

以小麦RIL群体(陇鉴19×Q9086,F₈)120个株系及其亲本为供试材料,研究雨养(DS)和正常灌溉(WW)条件下,小麦灌浆期不同发育阶段主茎不同节位可溶性碳水化合物(WSC)含量、转运率及其对籽粒的贡献率,以及穗粒重的遗传特点及各目标性状间的相关性.结果表明: 在两种水分条件下,小麦RIL群体各目标性状变异广泛,变异系数在2.7%～62.1%(DS)和1.9%～52.1%(WW),多样性指数在0.61～0.90(DS)和0.64～0.89(WW),且存在超亲分离.各目标性状表型受基因型、水分环境、节位和发育时期的显著影响.其中,WSC含量受发育时期的影响较大,WSC转运率具有显著的水分和节位主导效应,而WSC转运对籽粒的贡献率受基因型、节位和水分的共同作用.开花初期和灌浆中期WSC含量、花前WSC转运率对籽粒的贡献率之间普遍表现为显著或极显著正相关,且干旱条件下其相关系数更高.各目标性状的遗传力较低(hB₂在干旱条件下为0.31～0.56,灌溉条件下为0.44～0.67),控制各目标性状的遗传基因对数在6～29对(DS)和3～19对(WW).表明该群体对所考察性状有贡献的等位基因在其后代群体中得到广泛分离,其表达易受水分环境的影响,符合典型数量性状特点.     

Small temporal differences in water uptake among varieties of pearl millet (Pennisetum glaucum (L.) R. Br.) are critical for grain yield under terminal drought

Background and aim

Intuitively, access to water from the soil at key phenological stages is important for adaptation to drought. This study aimed to assess the temporal pattern of water extraction under terminal drought stress.

Methods

Pearl millet genotypes with varying levels of terminal drought tolerance were grown in a lysimetric system with a soil volume and plant spacing similar to field conditions. Water extraction was monitored until maturity under differing water regimes.

Results

The yield did not differ among genotypes under well-watered (WW) conditions, and the water extraction profile of WW plants was similar across all genotypes. In contrast, the yield of sensitive genotypes was 30–100 % lower than that of tolerant lines under water stress (WS). The total volumes of water extracted by tolerant and sensitive genotypes were similar under WS; however, tolerant genotypes extracted less water prior to anthesis, and more water after anthesis. Grain yield was positively related to the amount of water extracted during week three after panicle emergence. Increased water extraction after anthesis benefitted the tillers more than the main culm and was correlated with higher staygreen scores.

Conclusion

Increased water uptake after anthesis, which results from earlier water conservation during pre-anthesis, increases yield under terminal drought in pearl millet.     

Comparison of the Drought Stress Responses of Tolerant and Sensitive Wheat Cultivars During Grain Filling: Changes in Flag Leaf Photosynthetic Activity,ABA Levels,and Grain Yield

Water status parameters, flag leaf photosynthetic activity, abscisic acid (ABA) levels, grain yield, and storage protein contents were investigated in two drought-tolerant (Triticum aestivum L. cv. MV Emese and cv. Plainsman V) and two drought-sensitive (cvs. GK élet and Cappelle Desprez) wheat genotypes subjected to soil water deficit during grain filling to characterize physiological traits related to yield. The leaf water potential decreased earlier and at a higher rate in the sensitive than in the tolerant cultivars. The net CO₂ assimilation rate (P _N) in flag leaves during water deficit did not display a strict correlation with the drought sensitivity of the genotypes. The photosynthetic activity terminated earliest in the tolerant cv. Emese, and the senescence of flag leaves lasted 7 days longer in the sensitive Cappelle Desprez. Soil drought did not induce characteristic differences between sensitive and tolerant cultivars in chlorophyll a fluorescence parameters of flag leaves during post-anthesis. Changes in the effective quantum yield of PSII (Φ_PSII) and the photochemical quenching (qP) depended on the genotypes and not on the sensitivity of cultivars. In contrast, the levels of ABA in the kernels displayed typical fluctuations in the tolerant and in the sensitive cultivars. Tolerant genotypes exhibited an early maximum in the grain ABA content during drought and the sensitive cultivars maintained high ABA levels in the later stages of grain filling. In contrast with other genotypes, the grain number per ear did not decrease in Plainsman and the gliadin/glutenin ratio was higher than in the control in Emese during drought stress. A possible causal relationship between high ABA levels in the kernels during late stages of grain filling and a decreased grain yield was found in the sensitive cultivars during drought stress.     

Growth response to subsurface soil acidity of wheat genotypes differing in aluminium tolerance

Subsurface soil acidity coupled with high levels of toxic Al is a major limiting factor in wheat production in many areas of the world. This study examined the effect of subsurface soil acidity on the growth and yield of two near-isogenic wheat genotypes differing in Al tolerance at a single genetic locus in reconstructed soil columns. In one experiment, plants were grown in columns with limed topsoil and limed or acidic subsurface soils, and received water only to the subsurface soil at a late part of the growth period. While shoot dry weight, ear number and grain yield of Al-tolerant genotype (ET8) were not affected by subsurface soil acidity, liming subsurface soil increased shoot weight and grain yield of Al-sensitive genotype (ES8) by 60% and ear number by 32%. Similarly, root length density of ET8 was the same in the limed and acidic subsurface soils, while the root length density of ES8 in the acidic subsurface soil was only half of that in the limed subsurface soil. In another experiment, plants were grown with limed topsoil and acidic subsurface soil under two watering regimes. Both genotypes supplied with water throughout the soil column produced almost twice the dry weight of those receiving water only in the subsurface soil. The tolerant genotype ET8 had shoot biomass and grain yield one-third higher than ES8 when supplied with water throughout the whole column, and had yield 11% higher when receiving water in the subsurface soil only. The tolerant genotype ET8 produced more than five times the root length in the acidic subsurface soil compared to ES8. Irrespective of watering regime, the amount of water added to maintain field capacity of the soil was up to 2-fold higher under ET8 than under ES8. The results suggest that the genotypic variation in growth and yield of wheat grown with subsurface soil acidity results from the difference in root proliferation in the subsurface soil and hence in utilizing nutrient and water reserves in the subsurface soil layer.     

Identification of QTL for Early Vigor and Stay-Green Conferring Tolerance to Drought in Two Connected Advanced Backcross Populations in Tropical Maize (Zea mays L.)

We aimed to identify quantitative trait loci (QTL) for secondary traits related to grain yield (GY) in two BC₁F_2:3 backcross populations (LPSpop and DTPpop) under well-watered (4 environments; WW) and drought stressed (6; DS) conditions to facilitate breeding efforts towards drought tolerant maize. GY reached 5.6 and 5.8 t/ha under WW in the LPSpop and the DTPpop, respectively. Under DS, grain yield was reduced by 65% (LPSpop) to 59% (DTPpop) relative to WW. GY was strongly associated with the normalized vegetative index (NDVI; r ranging from 0.61 to 0.96) across environmental conditions and with an early flowering under drought stressed conditions (r ranging from -0.18 to -0.25) indicative of the importance of early vigor and drought escape for GY. Out of the 105 detected QTL, 53 were overdominant indicative of strong heterosis. For 14 out of 18 detected vigor QTL, as well as for eight flowering time QTL the trait increasing allele was derived from CML491. Collocations of early vigor QTL with QTL for stay green (bin 2.02, WW, LPSpop; 2.07, DS, DTPpop), the number of ears per plant (bins 2.02, 2.05, WW, LPSpop; 5.02, DS, LPSpop) and GY (bin 2.07, WW, DTPpop; 5.04, WW, LPSpop), reinforce the importance of the observed correlations. LOD scores for early vigor QTL in these bins ranged from 2.2 to 11.25 explaining 4.6 (additivity: +0.28) to 19.9% (additivity: +0.49) of the observed phenotypic variance. A strong flowering QTL was detected in bin 2.06 across populations and environmental conditions explaining 26–31.3% of the observed phenotypic variation (LOD: 13–17; additivity: 0.1–0.6d). Improving drought tolerance while at the same time maintaining yield potential could be achieved by combining alleles conferring early vigor from the recurrent parent with alleles advancing flowering from the donor. Additionally bin 8.06 (DTPpop) harbored a QTL for GY under WW (additivity: 0.27 t/ha) and DS (additivity: 0.58 t/ha). R² ranged from 0 (DTPpop, WW) to 26.54% (LPSpop, DS) for NDVI, 18.6 (LPSpop, WW) to 42.45% (LPSpop, DS) for anthesis and from 0 (DTPpop, DS) to 24.83% (LPSpop, WW) for GY. Lines out-yielding the best check by 32.5% (DTPpop, WW) to 60% (DTPpop, DS) for all population-by-irrigation treatment combination (except LPSpop, WW) identified are immediately available for the use by breeders.     

A conservative pattern of water use, rather than deep or profuse rooting, is critical for the terminal drought tolerance of chickpea

Chickpea is mostly grown on stored soil moisture, and deep/profuse rooting has been hypothesized for almost three decades to be critical for improving chickpea tolerance to terminal drought. However, temporal patterns of water use that leave water available for reproduction and grain filling could be equally critical. Therefore, variation in water use pattern and root depth/density were measured, and their relationships to yield tested under fully irrigated and terminal drought stress, using lysimeters that provided soil volumes equivalent to field conditions. Twenty chickpea genotypes having similar plant phenology but contrasting for a field-derived terminal drought-tolerance index based on yield were used. The pattern of water extraction clearly discriminated tolerant and sensitive genotypes. Tolerant genotypes had a lower water uptake and a lower index of stomatal conductance at the vegetative stage than sensitive ones, while tolerant genotypes extracted more water than sensitive genotypes after flowering. The magnitude of the variation in root growth components (depth, length density, RLD, dry weight, RDW) did not distinguish tolerant from sensitive genotypes. The seed yield was not significantly correlated with the root length density (RLD) in any soil layers, whereas seed yield was both negatively related to water uptake between 23-38 DAS, and positively related to water uptake between 48-61 DAS. Under these conditions of terminal drought, the most critical component of tolerance in chickpea was the conservative use of water early in the cropping cycle, explained partly by a lower canopy conductance, which resulted in more water available in the soil profile during reproduction leading to higher reproductive success.     

Drought resistance and recovery in mature Bituminaria bituminosa var. albomarginata

Few studies have investigated the response of perennial legumes to drought stress (DS) and their ability, following rewatering, to regrow and restore photosynthetic activity. We examined these responses for two genotypes of drought‐tolerant tedera (Bituminaria bituminosa var. albomarginata) and one genotype of lucerne (Medicago sativa). Plants were grown outdoors in 1‐m deep PVC pots with a reconstructed field soil profile, regularly watered for 8 months (winter to mid‐summer), and then moved to a glasshouse where either watering was maintained or drought was imposed for up to 47 days, before rewatering for 28 days. Drought stress greatly decreased shoot dry matter (DM) production in both species. Lucerne plants showed severe leaf desiccation after 21 days of withholding water. Relative leaf water content (RWC = 42%) and midday leaf water potential (LWP = ?6.5 MPa) decreased in tedera in response to DS, whereas leaf angle (85°) and lateral root DM both increased. Proline and pinitol accumulated in tedera leaves during DS, and their concentration declined after rewatering. Nine days after rewatering, previously drought‐stressed tedera had similar RWC and LWP to well‐watered control plants. In tedera and lucerne, 28 days after rewatering, photosynthesis and stomatal conductance were greater than in the well‐watered controls. The lateral root DM for one tedera genotype decreased during the recovery phase but for lucerne, the lateral root DM did not change during either the drought or the recovery phases. Overall, the root systems in tedera showed greater plasticity in response to DS and rewatering than in lucerne. In conclusion, tedera and lucerne showed different physiological and morphological strategies to survive and recover from DS. Proline and soluble sugars may act as a carbon source for regrowth in tedera during recovery. In comparison with lucerne, tedera's more rapid recovery after rewatering should contribute to a greater aboveground DM yield under alternating dry and wet periods. Tedera genotypes are highly heterogeneous and selecting genotypes with enhanced concentrations of pinitol and proline could be a valuable tool to improve plant performance during DS and recovery.     

Changes in some anti-oxidative enzymes and physiological indices among sesame genotypes (Sesamum indicum L.) in response to soil water deficits under field conditions

A field experiment was conducted to evaluate the response of ten sesame genotypes to different levels of soil water in terms of contents of proline, soluble carbohydrates, carotenoids, and activities of catalase (CAT), peroxidase (POX) and ascorbate peroxidase (APX). Plants were grown under three irrigation levels, including irrigation at 55 % (control), 75, and 85 % depletion of soil available water. Field test plots were a two-way factorial arranged in a randomized complete block design with three replications. Under control level of irrigation, the most and the least grain yields were achieved for genotypes Ultan (2,519 kg/ha) and Isfahan1 (1,311 kg/ha), respectively. Grain yield was decreased in some genotypes under 75 % and in all genotypes under 85 % depletion of available water. Based on percentage reduction in grain yield under both 75 and 85 % depletion of soil available water, Isfahan4, Borazjan, Isfahan1, Ahvaz, Ardestan, and Shiraz were recognized as relatively tolerant and Ultan, Shahreza, Kal, and Markazi were identified as relatively sensitive to water stress. The activities of antioxidant enzymes and the contents of carotenoids, proline, and soluble carbohydrates in leaves were increased in most genotypes under stress conditions, and the magnitudes of the increases were greater in the tolerant than in the sensitive genotypes. The results of this experiment showed that the stress-induced increase of antioxidant enzymes and the contents of the compatible solutes in leaves were related to the tolerance of sesame genotypes.     

Protective Mechanism Triggered by Pigeonpea Plants Exposed to Water Deficit: Modifications Linked to Paraheliotropism,Stomatal Characteristics and Antioxidant Enzymes

Drought is the main challenge in modern agriculture. The development and utilization of genotypes with a protective mechanism against drought may be crucial for mitigating the impacts on pigeonpea metabolism resulting from water deficit. This study aimed to determine if leaf characteristics and antioxidant enzymes have protective roles and possible benefits to growth by comparing the physiological, anatomical, biochemical and morphological responses of two different pigeonpea genotypes under water deficit. The experiment was randomized with four treatments, two genotypes (FL and I43, sensitive and tolerant to drought, respectively) and water conditions (control and water deficit). Water deficit was induced by suspension of irrigation for six days. Water deficit promoted negative interferences in both genotypes, but I43 genotype had a protective mechanism, reducing drought impacts. Leaf inclination (LI), elevations of 337% and 373%, was detected in the FL and I43 genotypes, respectively. Stomatal characteristics, FL and I43 genotypes, had reductions of 22% and 10%, respectively, in stomatal density (SD) on the abaxial face in comparison with the control. However, for stomatal functionality (SF) on the abaxial face, the FL and I43 genotypes had contrasting behaviours with a decrease and an increase of 7% and 3%, respectively, compared to the control. Antioxidant enzymes, FL and I43 genotypes, had increased superoxide dismutase (SOD) activities of 71% and 154%, respectively. For catalase (CAT), the water deficit resulted in increases of 55% and 415% for the genotypes, respectively. The tolerant genotype (I43) increased LI (paraheliotropism), minimizing the incidence of solar radiation in the leaves and water losses by transpiration. Fewer negative effects on stomatal characteristics (SD and SF) and the consequent maintenance of gas exchange (net photosynthetic rate and transpiration rate) guaranteed the influx of carbon dioxide in the leaf and mitigated the effects of water deficit on I43. In addition, the tolerant genotype (I43) had lower oxidative stress during the water deficit resulting from the greatly increased activities of antioxidant enzymes (SOD, CAT and APX). Our results clearly revealed that biochemical, physiological and anatomical modifications are intrinsically connected with a protective mechanism, mitigating the impacts caused by water limitation on growth of pigeonpea plants.

     

Proteomics analysis of sensitive and tolerant barley genotypes under drought stress

Drought is a severe environmental constraint to plant productivity and an important factor limiting barley yield. To investigate the initial response of barley to drought stress, changes in protein profile were analyzed using a proteomics technique. Three-day-old barley seedlings of sensitive genotype 004186 and tolerant genotype 004223 were given two treatments, one with 20 % polyethylene glycol and the second with drought induced by withholding water. After 3 days of treatments, proteins were extracted from shoots and separated by 2-dimensional polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. Metabolism related proteins were decreased in the sensitive genotype under drought; however, they were increased in the tolerant genotype. Photosynthetic related proteins were decreased and increased among the three sensitive and three tolerant genotypes, respectively. In addition, amino acid synthesis and degradation related proteins were increased and decreased among the three tolerant genotypes. These results suggest that chloroplastic metabolism and energy related proteins might play a significant role in the adaptation process of barley seedlings under drought stress.     

不同pH低磷土壤上的水稻生物学性状

通过盆栽试验,研究了6个水稻材料（4个耐低磷水稻99011、580、508、99112和2个磷敏感水稻99012、99056）在3种不同pH低磷土壤上的生物学性状．结果表明：580、508和99112的生物学性状在3种土壤上均无明显差异,表现出耐低磷特性;99011在石灰性土壤上的耐低磷能力低于中性和酸性土壤,其相对经济产量比酸性和中性土壤分别降低11．9％和10．4％;99012在石灰性土壤上的耐低磷能力相对较强,其相对经济产量比酸性和中性土壤分别提高19．6％和22．2％;99056在酸性土壤上的耐低磷能力相对较强,其相对经济产量比石灰性和中性土壤分别提高25．0％和19．6％．磷营养水平及土壤类型对水稻产量的影响主要体现在对有效穗的影响上．此外,99011、580、508和99112在3种土壤上的剑叶磷浓度及其相对值均显著高于99012和99056．这也是前四者具有较强耐低磷能力的原因之一．     

二倍体、四倍体和六倍体小麦产量及水分利用效率

试验选用了6个不同染色体倍性的小麦进化材料（3个二倍体、2个四倍体和1个六倍体）,分别在不同水肥条件下研究其根系、地上生物量、产量、蒸腾耗水量和水分利用效率等指标,旨在阐明小麦进化材料产量及水分利用效率的差异及水肥条件对这些特性的影响。试验表明：不同倍性小麦进化材料的生物量、产量和水分利用存在显著的差异,而且水肥条件对其有显著影响。在染色体倍性由2n→4n→6n的进化过程中,小麦根系及地上生物量均先增加后降低,而产量却显著增加,这与收获指数的增加有关。小麦产量的大小顺序为：T.aestivum〉T.dicoccum〉T.dicoccoides〉Ae.squarrosa〉Ae.speltoides〉T.boeoticum。水分亏缺显著降低小麦的生物量、产量和收获指数;在不同水分条件下,增加施肥量有利于这些指标的增加。但是水分亏缺下,增加施肥却降低各小麦材料的根系生物量。随小麦的进化,蒸腾耗水量显著降低,这与其生育期缩短有关;而生物量水分利用效率和产量水分利用效率却显著升高,且后者的差异要大于前者。各小麦产量水分利用效率的大小排序与产量的完全一致。水分亏缺处理显著减少各小麦进化材料的蒸腾耗水量47％～52％,而显著增加生物量水分利用效率3％～40％;但水分亏缺对产量水分利用效率的促进作用却随染色体倍性的增加而降低,甚至降低六倍体小麦T.aestivum的产量水分利用效率19％。不同水分条件下,高肥处理均有利于蒸腾耗水量、生物量水分利用效率和产量水分利用效率的增加。     

Changes in physiological,biochemical and antioxidant enzyme activities of green gram (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Vigna radiata</Emphasis> L.) genotypes under drought

Water deficit is one of the major factors affecting the growth and productivity field crops. This study was conducted to characterize four popularly genotypes, viz. SGC 16, TMB 37, SG 21-5, and Pratap, of green gram (Vigna radiata L.) on physiological, biochemical and morphological basis under water deficit at vegetative, flowering and pod filling stages. A substantial decrease in the mid-day leaf water potential (Ψ_L), net photosynthesis (P _N), total soluble protein (TSP) and membrane stability index (MSI) were recorded under water deficit. However, the membrane lipid peroxidation (MDA), total free amino acid, and the activities of super oxide dismutase and catalase increased significantly (p ≤ 0.05). Percentage reduction of grain yield, under water deficit, was the maximum in the genotype TMB 37 (50.05–63.80 %) indicating its sensitivity towards water deficit. In contrast, the genotype Pratap was the most tolerant to water deficit as it had the minimum reduction (20.76–34.87 %) in grain yield. Flowering was the most critical crop growth stage to water deficit. Among the studied parameters, Ψ_L, P _N, TSP, MSI and MDA were identified as the marker parameters for explaining the response mechanism of green gram genotypes to water deficit.     

Physiological traits contributed to the recent increase in yield potential of winter wheat from Henan Province,China

This experiment aims to test the traits responsible for the increase in yield potential of winter wheat released in Henan Province, China. Seven established cultivars released in the last 20 years and three advanced lines were assayed. The results showed that grain yield was positively correlated with harvest index（HI）, kernel number per square meter, and aboveground biomass. In addition, the HI and aboveground biomass showed an increasing trend with the year of release.Therefore, we can conclude that bread wheat breeding advances during recent decades in Henan Province, China,have been achieved through an increase in HI, kernel number per square meter, and aboveground biomass. A higher d13C seems also to be involved in these advances, which suggests a progressive improvement in constitutive water use efficiency not associated with a trend towards lower stomatal conductance in the most recent genotypes. However, genetic advance Researchdoes not appear related to changes in photosynthesis rates on area basis when measured in the flag leaf or the spike,but only to a higher, whole‐spike photosynthesis. Results also indirectly support the concept that under potential yield conditions, the spike contributed more than the flag leaf to kernel formation.     

Yield, growth and physiological responses of mung bean [Vigna radiata (L.) Wilczek] genotypes to waterlogging at vegetative stage

A study was conducted to examine the physiological response of contrasting mung bean (Vigna radiata) genotypes viz., T 44 & MH–96–1 (tolerant) and Pusa Baisakhi & MH–1K–24 (sensitive) under waterlogging conditions. Plants were waterlogged at vegetative stage (30 days after sowing) for 3, 6 and 9 days. Waterlogging resulted in decreased leaf area, crop growth rate, root growth and nodules number, membrane stability index, photosynthesis rate, chlorophyll and carotenoid contents, flowering rate, pod setting, yield and altered dry matter partitioning. Sensitive genotypes showed large reductions in aforementioned physiological traits and slow recovery in photosynthesis rate. On the other hand, tolerant genotypes maintained higher photosynthetic rate, chlorophylls and carotenoids, growth rate, membrane stability and fast photosynthetic recovery under waterlogging. After 9 days of exposure to waterlogging, photosynthetic rate and yield losses in most sensitive genotype (MH-1K-24) were 83 and 85 %, respectively. On an average, photosynthetic loss at 3, 6 and 9 days of waterlogging was 43, 51, and 63 %, respectively, while grain yield loss was 20, 34 and 52 % respectively.     

Embryo and endosperm development in wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) kernels subjected to drought stress

The aim of the present work was to reveal the histological alterations triggered in developing wheat kernels by soil drought stress during early seed development resulting in yield losses at harvest. For this purpose, observations were made on the effect of drought stress, applied in a controlled environment from the 5th to the 9th day after pollination, on the kernel morphology, starch content and grain yield of the drought-sensitive Cappelle Desprez and drought-tolerant Plainsman V winter wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) varieties. As a consequence of water withdrawal, there was a decrease in the size of the embryos and the number of A-type starch granules deposited in the endosperm, while the development of aleurone cells and the degradation of the cell layers surrounding the ovule were significantly accelerated in both genotypes. In addition, the number of B-type starch granules per cell was significantly reduced. Drought stress affected the rate of grain filling shortened the grain-filling and ripening period and severely reduced the yield. With respect to the recovery of vegetative tissues, seed set and yield, the drought-tolerant Plainsman V responded significantly better to drought stress than Cappelle Desprez. The reduction in the size of the mature embryos was significantly greater in the sensitive genotype. Compared to Plainsman V, the endosperm cells of Cappelle Desprez accumulated significantly fewer B-type starch granules. In stressed kernels of the tolerant genotype, the accumulation of protein bodies occurred significantly earlier than in the sensitive variety.     

Comparative physiological and biochemical evaluation of salt and nickel tolerance mechanisms in two contrasting tomato genotypes

Plant tolerance against a combination of abiotic stresses is a complex phenomenon, which involves various mechanisms. Physiological and biochemical analyses of salinity (NaCl) and nickel (Ni) tolerance in two contrasting tomato genotypes were performed in a hydroponics experiment. The tomato genotypes selected were proved to be tolerant (Naqeeb) and sensitive (Nadir) to both salinity and Ni stress in our previous experiment. The tomato genotypes were exposed to combinations of NaCl (0, 75 and 150 mM) and Ni (0, 15, and 20 mg l⁻¹) for 28 days. The results revealed that the tolerant and sensitive tomato genotypes showed similar response to NaCl and Ni stress; however, the level of response was significantly different in both genotypes. The tolerant tomato genotype showed less reduction in growth than the sensitive genotype against both NaCl and Ni stress. Root and shoot ionic analysis showed a decrease in Na and increase in K concentration by increasing Ni levels in the growth medium. Moreover, accumulation of Na and Ni in tissues showed a decrease in membrane stability index and an increase in malondialdehyde contents. The activity of superoxide dismutase, catalase, peroxidase and glutathione reductase under NaCl and Ni stress was significantly higher in the tolerant compared to the sensitive genotype. Enhanced activity of many antioxidant enzymes in Naqeeb under stress conditions is among the other mechanisms that enabled the genotype to better detoxify reactive oxygen species and therefore Naqeeb tolerated the stresses better than Nadir.     

Alterations in photosynthetic pigments, protein and osmotic components in cotton genotypes subjected to short-term drought stress followed by recovery

In order to assess drought tolerance mechanism in cotton, short-term drought-induced biochemical responses were monitored in two cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.) genotypes contrasting their tolerance to water deficit. The seeds of two genotypes, namely GM 090304 (moderately drought tolerant) and Ca/H 631 (drought sensitive), were sown in pots containing soil, sand and peat in the ratio of 1:1:1, and irrigated every alternate day up to 45 days after sowing when each genotype was subjected to a cycle of water stress by withholding irrigation for 7 days. The stress cycle was terminated by re-watering the stressed plants for 7 days. The leaf of the drought tolerant genotype (GM 090304) maintained higher relative water content under water stress than that of the drought sensitive genotype (Ca/H 631). The levels of biochemical components, such as chlorophylls, carotenoids, total protein, free proline, total free amino acids, sugars, starch and polyphenols, were measured during the stress as well as the recovery periods. The chlorophylls, carotenoids, protein and starch contents decreased in drought stressed plants as compared to control and tended to increase when the plants were recovered from stress. The degree of decrease in chlorophylls, carotenoids and protein contents under drought was higher in the sensitive genotype (Ca/H 631) as compared to the moderately tolerant genotype (GM 090304). However, proline, total free amino acids, total sugars, reducing sugars and polyphenol contents were increased in drought stressed plants and tended to decrease during the period of recovery. Drought-induced increases in total free amino acids, proline, sugars and polyphenols were significantly higher in the moderately tolerant genotype (GM 090304) than in the sensitive genotype (Ca/H 631). These results suggest that proline, sugars and polyphenols act as main compatible solutes in cotton in order to maintain osmotic balance, to protect cellular macromolecules, to detoxify the cells, and to scavenge free radicals under water stress condition.     

Grain and flour quality of wheat genotypes grown under heat stress

Heat stress during the grain-filling period is the main abiotic stress factor limiting grain yield and quality in wheat (Triticum aestivum L.). In this study, 64 wheat genotypes were exposed to heat stress during reproduction caused by delayed sowing in two growing seasons. Grain yield, 1000 grain weight (GW), grain hardness (GH), and grain-quality related traits were investigated. Heat stress caused a significant decrease in GW through reducing starch content (SC) and a non-compensating rise in protein content (PC), and thereby resulted in lower yield. In addition, significant increases in flour water absorption (WA), Zeleny sedimentation volume (ZT), ash content (AC), lipid content (LC), loaf volume (LV), wet gluten content (WG), dry gluten content (DG), gluten index (GI), and amylopectin content (APC) were found following heat stress. In contrast, decreases in grain moisture content (MC) and amylose content (AMC) induced by heat stress were observed. The heat-tolerant genotypes were superior in grain yield, GW, SC, AMC, and MC. While the sensitive genotypes contained higher PC, LV, GI and AMP. A group of wheat genotypes characterized with a higher yield, AMC, GW, and SC as well as lower PC, WA, GH, ZT, and LV; and was found to be the most heat tolerant by principal component analysis. Lighter weight and smaller grains produce a smaller starchy endosperm with lower quality (less amylose) and higher grain protein content in heat stress compared to normal conditions. Heat stress caused by delayed sowing improves some of the baking-quality related traits.